Knitting machine



"Mmh 6, 192s. 1,661,653

H. EVANS KNITTING MACHINE m1661066. 23, 1922 5 Sheets-sheet 1 l March 6, 1928.

H. EVANS KNITTgfNG MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1922' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.'

ATTORNEY.

March 6, 1928.

H. EVANS KNITTING MACHINE v Filed oct. 2s. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .IIT

INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

HUMPHREY EVANS, OF MILW'AUKEE, XVIVSCONSIN,VASSIGNOR TVO HOLEPROOF HOSIERY CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

KNITTING MACHIN E.

Application led ctober 23, 1922. Serial No. 596,266.

This invention relates more particularly to circular knitting machines having rotary needle cylinders.

lts main objects are to produce seamless tubular knitted articles with tapered reinforcements of various 'designs having curved. straight or stepped sides, such as pointed or tapered high splice heel reinforcements ot stockings; to adapt circular knitting machines of a standard or well known type to produce such reinforcements; and generally to improve the construction and operation ot' mechanism kfor knitting seamless tubular hosiery with reinforcementsof various dcsigns. f

It consists in the construction, arrangement and combination or' parts as hereinafterparticularly described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing like characters designate the same parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation and vertical section of parts of a circular knitting machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation as viewed from the left relative to Fig. 1, of the splicing yarn guide operating mechanism; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, the supporting bracket being shown injhorizontal section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2; and Figs. 4:, 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating some of the numerous designs of high splice heel reinforcements which the machine is adapted to produce.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is the rotary needle cylinder of a well knownl kind of circular knitting machine, such as a `Scott and iVilliams machine. It is provided as usual in this type of machines, with needles A sinker ring 3, provided with the usual sinkers of web holders 4c, is mounted on and rotatable with the upper end ot the needle cylinder.'

A latch guard ring 6 is pivotally connected by a radially slotted and arched extension 7 on the rear side thereof with a post or standard 8, rising from a stationary bed 9, on whic-h is rotatably mounted the needle cylinder l, with a bevel gear 1() through which it is actuated by the usual or any suitable mechanism (not shown).

A 13 in the arched extension 7 of the latch guard ring, `is movable at its inner and.

yarn guide 12, pivoted on a cross piny position, the yarn guide rests as shown, on a throat platel, attached to the latch guard ring 6 andspanning the radial slot therein;

A spring 15 tends to swing the inner end of the yarn guide l2 downward, and to hold itV in operative position on the throat plate 14.

The machine isy provided, as usual in machines of this class, `with a pattern ,drum or wheel 17, which is located below the yarn guide 12 and the bed 9 and is driven by the usual or any suitable actuatingconnections (not shown). l

A thrust bar 19, supported and'guided by combs or bearings 2O and 21 between the yarn guide and by engagement with cams 22 and 28 on the pattern drum, to shift the yarn` guide upward and hold it out` of operative position vpattern drum, is. adapted T during certain periods in the operation of the machine, as in knitting the toes, legs and heels ot' stockings.

The construction and operation `of` the parts of the machine hereinbetore mentioned being well understood by those'familiar with ther art to, which this invention pertains, need not be more particularly described.Y

For the purposes of the present invention, v

the machine is provided with splicing mechanism or means for supplying splicing yarn with the main yarn'to ther needles in knitting seamless tubular articles, such as hosiery, 'in successive partial courses of various lengths, to produce reinforcements, lsuch as vhigh splice iheels of .various designs, as illustrated for example, in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive. l A

As shown in Figs. l, 2and 3, such mechanism or means comprises a cam 25, splined and shiftable axially on a shaft 26, with [which it is rotatable at the same rate` of speed as the needle cylinder. The shaft 26 isy supported bybearings in ai bracket 27, which is attached to the needle cylinder bed 9. The cam 25, which is generally ot cylindrical shape,is formed in one sidel with a. longitudinal depression 28, of tapering form or varying width. T j

`A lever 30', ,fulcrumed on apin 31 parallel with the shaft 26, is provided lat'one end with a roller or. followerA 32, for engagement with the cam 25. A spring 433, vtends lio Alt)

to hold the roller or follower 32 in contact with the cam The end ol the lever 3() opposite the roller 32, is connected by an adjustable link 34.-, with an outwardly extending arm of the yarn guide 12.

A pin 35 on the lever 30. loosely engagingr a slot 3G in the link El, provides a lost inotion connection betvreen the lever and link, allowing tor movement ot the lever independently ot the link and yarn guide 12 when the thrust bar 1S) rides on the step or loiv part ot the cam adjacent its trailingend, this step allowing the yarn guide to be lowered gradually into operative position and insuring proper entry ot thex splicing yarn into engagement with the needles at the beginning of the lforniation ot a high splice heel reinforcement.

An adjustable bearing piece 3S, Vfastened in the slot 3G oi the link dat, is adapted by engagement with the levcr 30. to tlirov.' the roller or follower 32, and hold it. out oli contact with the cani vrhcn the. yarn guide 12 is lifted and held by the cams 22 and 23 and the thrust bar 19 out ot operative position, to prevent unnecessary Wear ot the tollower and cam when the splicing yarn is not being knit into the fabric. as in knitting the toes, legs and heels ot stockings.

For shifting the cani 25 axially on the shaft 2G, a mutilated ratchet-Wheel 40 is rotatably mounted on the bracket 27, with its axis at right angles to the shaft 2G. The ratchet vvheel is interniittentlyr turned to advance the cam 25 to the right. as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. by a feeding pawl 41. pivoted to the upper end ot a rocker arm 42, which is pivoted at its lower end to a depending arin ou the bracket 27, and is provided between its ends ivith a roller or follower #13, engaging a side 4faced cam 44, lined on the shaft 2G. A spring t5 holds the p *.vl 41 in yielding engagement with the ratchet Wheel. rind a spring 46 holds the roller or follower 43 in engagement with the cani all.

A friction drag or brake 47 held by a spring arm i8 in yielding engagement with the ratchet Wheel 40, prevents overthrow of the ratchet wheel by the feeding pavvl 41.

A. cam 49, attached to the atchet wheel 40, engages a roller or 'follower 50 on a sleeve or slide 51, guided and movable on a rod 52 carried by the bracket 27 parallel with the shaft 26. The sleeve 51 is provided at one end vvith a fork arm 53, loosely engaging a grooved collar or reduced neck 5i, on one end ot the cam 25.

A spring 55 connecting the sleeve 51 with the bracket 27, adjacent the fixed end of the rod 52, tends to shift the sleeve to the lett. as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and holds it in engagement With the cam 49.

A cushion stop 56, adjustably mounted on the rod 52, limits the movement of the sleeve 51 to the lett when it is released by the cani el-.fl and is retracted by the spring 55 to its initial position.

To automatically stop and start the opera tion ot the splicing mechanism at predetermined points or tintes, and to f lctern'iine the length oit the reinlorcenients or the number ot courses into which the splicing yarn is knitted.A one or more teeth are omitted troni the ratchet Wheel l0, leaving a blank space :3T in the toothed periphery ot' the ratchet ivheelT4 so that when the ratchet vvhccl has; made a complete revolutif'm and the blank .space is brought opposite thc point ot the feeding paivl 41. the paivl vvill Work idly in said blank space. and the movement ot the ratchet wheel ivill be arrested,

For starting the .splicing mechanism at :t predetermined pointy in the production ol' a knitted article. a holding and starting pavclr 5S is pivoted on the upper cnd ot :i lever 59, which is tulcrunied or pivotally mounted on the bracket 27 conctnitrically with thc ratchet wheel Attl. and the lower end of said lever is prr'ivided with an adjustable pin or I.spur (it). projecting theretroni into the path oi a earn or stud G1 on the pattern drum 1T, the cani or stud beingr so located on the pattern druni that b v engagement, with the4 pin or spur G0. it vcill advance tbc pavfl 5S a snllicient distance to turn tbc blank .space .17 past the point ot the 'feeding pavfl t1 and bring the next tooth ot the ratchet Wheel into operative engagement tl'iereivith lor ad vancing the cam 25 to the right. as seen in Figs. i2 and 3, trom its initial position. The upper end ot the lever 50 is held by a spring G2 normally against a screw or adjustable stop (i3. and the paivl 58 prevents rever-e or backward movement ol the ratchet wheel 40. The pavl 5S. as shown in Fig. 2. is provided ivith tn'o or more teeth of sui'licient extent to span the blank space 5'? on the ratchet vchcel l0 and prevent backward movement ot the ratchet wheel when the blank space therein reaches the pan'l. A spring thi holds the pawl in yielding cngagement with the ratchet vrhecl.

The cani shalt 2G may be rotated at the same rate ol speed as the needle cylinder7 by any suitable driving connections. as shown tor example, in Figs. l and Il. by :i gear (l5 connecting a pinion titl on the cani shaft, with a pinion (37 on the main shall GF4 ot the knitting machine.

In the. operation of the niacbine. when the. thrust bar 19 clears the cani 22 on the pattern drum 17. and the splicing yarn guide 12 is turned dovrn by the spring 1:'1 into operative position on the throat late 1l. the cam or stud G1 on the pattern f ruin passes the pin or spur G0 on the lever 5f), and swings the upper end of the. lever to the lett aivay from the stop G3. The paivl 58 being thus advanced, turns the ratchet Wheel Fll itil

40 an interval sutiicient to bring the tooth following the blank space 57 into operative engagement with the feeding pawl 41, and the lever is then drawn back by the spring 62 into its normal position against the stop 63.

The rocker arm 42 being constantly swung to and fro by the cam 44 and spring 46 during the operation of the machine, intermittently turns the ratchet wheel and the cam 49, which by engagement with the rolleror follower 50, advances the sleeve or slide 51 and the cam 25 step by step to the right during the intervals while the follower 32 is traversed by the high part of the cam 25, and the yarn guide l2 is thereby held out of operative position during parts of successive revolutions of the needle cylinder.

The splicing yarn is fed by the yarn guide to the needles during the intervals that the follower 32 rides on the depressed portion 28 of the cam, and is knit with the main yarn into parts of successive courses varying in length according to the position of the cam 25 and the width of the depressed portion thereof traversed by the follower 32.

The shape of the cani 25 and the` shape of the cam 48 determine the pattern 0r outline of the reinforcement produced `by vthe'splicing yarn which is knit into parts of variable extent of successive courses. Obviously, as long as the cam 25 is not shifted axially 'or lengthwise of the shaft 26 but remains in a given position yduring the splicing operation, the partial successive courses into which the splicing yarn is knit will be of the same length, corresponding with the width of the depressed portion 28 of the cam in the path traversed by the follower 52, and the sides of the reinforcement will be straight and parallel with each other.

By varying the shape of either or both of the cams 25 and 49, the outline of the reinforcements will be correspondingly varied. lVith cams of the shapes shown'by Fig. 2, a tapered reinforcement having inwardly curved side margins of substantially the form shown by Fig. 4, will be produced.

lVith a cani 25 of the shape shown in Fig. 2, reinforcements of various designs having straight or outwardly, inwardly or compound curved side margins, as shown by Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, maybe produced by variation in the shape of the cam 49, which `determines the rate and extent of the axial movement of the cam 25.

Variations in the design or contour of the reinforcements are preferably made by changing the shape of the cam 49, which is detachably fastened to the ratchet wheel 40 and can be more readily made than the cam 25.

With each revolution of the cam 25 during the splicing operation, when the follower 32 drops into and bears on the depressed por-` .y by the sp tion 28 of the cam, the yarn guide 12 is released and turned bythe spring 15 down into operative position on the `throat plate 14, in which position itfdirects the splicing yarn into the hooks of the needles.

If the cam 49 is shaped, as shown in Fig. 2, to advance the cam 25 slowly at the beginning and more rapidlyrtowards the end of the splicing operation, a reinforcement having inwardly curved sides, as shown in Fig. 4, will be produced. On the other hand, if the cam 49 is shaped to advance the cam 25 more rapidly at the beginning and more slowly towards the end of the splicing operation, a reinforcement having outwardly curved sides, as shown in Fig. 6, will be produced.

At the end of each revolution ofthe ratchet wheel 40, the blank space 57 in the periphery of the ratchet wheel is brought opposite the point of the pawl41, and the rotary movement ofthe ratchet wheel and cam 49 is arrested.

In thepresent case the splicing mechanisin, as shown, being specially designed to produce tapered high heel reinforcements like or similar to that shown in Fig.`4, and also to reinforce the soles of stocking feet with the same splicing yarn, the blank space 57 on the ratchet wheel 40 is located with reference to the cam 49 so that after the high heel reinforcement is completed and while the heel and foot are being knit, the high part of the cam 49 will be held at rest in engagement with the roller 50 on the sleeve or slide 51, and the cam 25 will be held' with the wider part of the depression 28 in position to cooperate with the roller 32.

Upon the completion of the high heel reinforcement when the needle cylinder changes from a continuous rotary to a reciprocatory movement, the cam 23 on the pattern drum is brought into engagement with the thrust bar 19 and holds the yarn guide 12out` of operative position during the knitting of the heel. l i

When kthe heel is finished,` and the needle cylinder resumes its continuous rotary movement, the cam 23 clears the thrust bar 19 and the yarn guide is turned down again ring 15 into operative position. The splicing yarn being thus directed into the hooks of the needles 2, is knit into the foot. of the stocking and forms a sole reinforcement corresponding in width with the lower part of the tapered high heel reinforcement, the cam 49 standing with its high part against the roller 50 and holding the cam 25 with the wider part of the depression 28 in position to cooperate with the roller 82.

As the reinforced foot is finished and the needle cylinder changes again to a reciprocatory movement for knitting the toe of a stocking, the advance end of the cam 22 engages the thrust bar and lifts the -varn en de lf2 ont ot' operative position, in which l position it is held by said cam during the knitting of the toe of one stocking and the knitting ot the leg ot another stocking.

`With the knitting ot the toe each stocking is tinished and another stocking is started, the thrust bar still. resting on the cam and the high part ot the cani i9 being still in engagement with the roller 5t).

At the beginning ot the high heel reinforcement of each stocking. the cam or :stad nl on the pattern drain passing the pin or spar titl. actnates the starting pawl 5S and starts the ratchet wheel fltl, the intermittent rotar): movement oi' which is continued by the Jfeeding paw] lll, as hereinbetore explained, Jfor another cvcle ot operations. The hie-h part ot the cam 49 is thas turned b v the initial n'iovement ot the ratchet wheel 4l0 ont ot engagement with the roller 50, and the slide 5l with the cam 25 is instantly shitted back to its initial position against the stop 5G by the spi-inf` :3a. rl`he cani is then advanced interniittentlv to the right as hereinbetore explained, and the cani O haring cleared the thrust bar l5), another' high heel reintorcement produced.

lVith the lifting ot the yarn guide 12 ont of' operative position b v the cams Q2 and 23 and the thrust bar '149, the roller or follmver is throvfn and held by its connections with the yarn guide, ont of Contact with the cam 25, as hereinbetore explained.

Various moditications in the construction and arrangement of parts ot the machine may be inade Without departure from the principle and scope ot the invention as detined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. In a knitting machine the combination with a rotary needle cylinder provided with needles and a yarn guide movable into and ont of operative position to direct yarn to the needles, ot a rotary and axiall)7 movable cam l'or shitting the yarn guide out ot operative position, means for rotating the cam synchronously with the needle cylinder, a Cain for shitting the first cam axially, a ratchet wheel connected and rotatable with the second cam, a rocker arm provided with pawl for rotating the ratchet wheel and second cam, and a third cain for actuating the rocher arm and pawl.

il. In a knitting machine the combination with a rotary needle cylinder provided with needles and a yarn guide movable into and ont ot operative position to direct lyarn to they necdlefl. of a rotar): and axially movable yarn-gni lcroinrolling cam, means for rotating saai cam synchronously with the needle cylinder. a cam for advancing the ti ram axially, a nlniilatcd ratchet Wheel connected and rotatable with the second cam, a pan'l tor turning.Y the ratchet Wheel, and a cani tor actuating` said paw] to tnrn the ratchet wheel till the blank space therein is bronght opposite the point ot the paWl.

il. ln a knittingl machine the con'ibination with a rotar)v needle c vlinder provided with n:edle--. a vara gnide movable into and ont ot operatire position to direct varn to the needles, and a pattern drum, ota rotary and axially movable yarn-gnide-controlling cam, means` Yl'or rotating said cam synchronous-l5v with the needle cylinder, means tending to shit'ty said cam into and to hold it in its initial pwition, a cam adapted to advance the first cain axially, a mutilated ratchet wheel connected and rotatable with the second cani, a feeding pawl for inter1nittentlyv turning the ratchet wheel, a cam for actuating said panl to tnrn the ratchet wheel till the blank space therein is brought opposite the pawl, a lever provided with a starting pawl engaging the ratchet Wheel, and a cam on the pattern drum arranged to actnate said lever and starting pawl and tarn the tooth ot the ratchet wheel following the blank space therein into engagement with the feeding pawi.

In witness whereof I hereto affix my Vsignature.

HUMPHREY EVANS. 

